KARACHI: The World Bank has commended the Government of Sindh for the progress achieved under its flagship Mother and Child Support Program, known as “Mamta,” describing it as a model initiative linking financial assistance with improved healthcare outcomes.
The remarks were made during a high-level strategic review meeting between Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection, Saeed Ghani, and a World Bank delegation led by Task Team Leader Sohail Saeed Abbasi and Co-Task Team Leader Amna Khan. The discussion focused on the rapid expansion of the program and its transition toward a more technology-driven and sustainable delivery model.
According to the provincial minister, the Mamta Program has so far integrated more than 955,000 pregnant and lactating women into a structured social protection framework. The initiative, which operates under the Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh (SSPDSS), aims to reach 1.3 million beneficiaries across 15 districts in its initial phase.
Officials said the program’s “cash-for-health” model has significantly influenced healthcare-seeking behavior. Enrolled beneficiaries have completed approximately 4.3 million visits to local health facilities, reflecting increased engagement with maternal and child health services.
The minister stated that healthcare utilization at hospitals managed by the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) Sindh has increased by 80 percent since the program’s implementation. Currently, 824 health facilities are being leveraged through partnerships between PPHI Sindh and the provincial Health Department.
Following the success of the first phase, the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA) is preparing for expansion. Authorities plan to extend the program to seven additional districts, increasing coverage from 15 to 22 districts. The long-term target is to enroll 2.5 million mothers across the province.
World Bank representatives highlighted the program’s digital registration and payment mechanisms as a notable achievement, stating that the streamlined system has reduced administrative barriers and improved transparency in benefit disbursement.
The meeting concluded with the World Bank reaffirming its commitment to continue providing technical and financial support to the initiative. Officials said the Mamta Program’s integration of healthcare compliance with quarterly financial assistance represents a significant step toward strengthening human capital development and maternal health outcomes in Sindh.
